Summary

1.      The China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED) is a high level, non-profit international advisory body established upon the approval of the Chinese Government in 1992. State Environmental Protection Administration of China is the host agency of the Council. After 15 years of effective work during its first, second and third phases, CCICED has successfully fulfilled its expected objectives, fostered cooperation between China and the international community in the field of environment and development, and created extensive and far-reaching impact both nationally and internationally.

2.      In the past 15 years, the Council and its Working Groups and Task Forces have made a number of valuable recommendations to the Chinese Government in light of China’s practical situation. These recommendations attracted high attention from the Chinese Government. They were seriously considered, and some were adopted. This is a significant contribution to China’s environment and development.

3.      China has experienced dramatic economic and social changes since 1992. Rapid economic growth brought about increasing pressure on the environment and resources.  In the past 15 years, with the acceleration of the globalization process, China has rapidly reinforced its interaction with the world in the fields of the economy, trade, development and environment. China, together with the whole world, is facing issues such as global climate change, degradation of biodiversity as well as a number of other problems.  The global implications of the environment and development in China are increasingly relevant.

4.      The State leaders of the Chinese Government are fully aware that China has entered a crucial stage of development and thus they are promoting scientific development towards a well-off society in 2020. The Chinese Government is determined to build a resource-saving and environmentally-friendly society and to promote sustainable development so as to achieve a harmonious society, through speeding up the historical transformations on environment and development.

5.      At the conclusion of the Third Phase of CCICED, parties from various sides have recognized unanimously the value and important role of CCICED, and agreed to continue their support for another phase of CCICED. The Chinese State Leaders has clearly stated that, since its establishment, CCICED has provided strong support for scientific decision-making by China in the field of environment and development and the Chinese Government has approved the establishment of the Fourth Phase of CCICED (2007-2011). The Chinese Government has committed to continue its support to the Council.

6.      Given the magnificent change of the socio-economic development in China as well as the increasing interaction between China and the world on environment and development, and on the basis of the lessons learned during previous three phases, CCICED (Phase IV) should be established with necessary reforms and innovation with regard to adjustment of the Chinese and International membership, policy study work, organization and procedures. At the same time, the capacity of the Secretariat to improve coordination will be further enhanced. In order to improve the impact and extend the influence of its recommendations, the Council should promote multi-channel mechanisms for the dissemination of its policy recommendations.

7.      Based on Phase I, II and III, Phase IV of CCICED will continue to serve as an effective high level international policy consultative institution, to provide the Chinese leadership and policy makers in different levels of government with proactive, strategic, pre-warning policy recommendations on key environment and development issues. The Council will make its recommendations more practical, feasible and suitable not only for China’s situation, but also relevant to the global implications. Necessary policy demonstrations and project demonstrations should be carried out in key areas. In light of the changing situation in the field of environment and development, recommendations should also be made to the Chinese Government on how to adjust the existing strategy and on what counter-measures to take.

8.      This Terms of Reference is based on those of the previous three phases and revised to reflect new developments as well as the needs of the Chinese Government.